title: Properties and possible function of phosphatidylinositol-transfer proteins.
abstract: It is proposed that the phosphatidylinositol-transfer protein (PI-TP) may function as a carrier of phosphatidylinositol (PI) in the cell. PI-TP occurs in all mammalian tissues examined and appears to be strongly conserved. Its intracellular distribution was studied by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques. PI-TP displays a dual specificity in that it preferentially transfers PI over phosphatidylcholine (PC) between membranes. Its lipid binding site and transfer characteristics were investigated with fluorescent PI and PC analogues containing parinaroyl- and pyrenylacyl-labeled chains. PI-TP is ideally suited for maintaining PI levels in intracellular membranes, possibly the plasma membrane.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Snoek
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Gadella
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: van Paridon
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Somerharju
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000502:physiology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000378:metabolism*; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins; C118289:SEC24 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins